STUB-TWIST BARRELS. 425 



The only true method of ascertaining if a barrel be real stub- 

 and-twist, is to file away a small space from the surface of the 

 barrel, under the stock, and apply a little aquafortis to the spot, 

 and if it be stub-and-tvvist, the fibres of the metal will be ob- 

 served running in a spiral direction up the barrel. We do not, 

 however, wish to generally recommend this mode of convincing 

 ourselves as to the genuineness of our reputed stub-and-twists, 

 without at the same time cautioning our readers as to the bad 

 effects both of the filing and the application of the acid, when in 

 the hands of a careless person, who might materially injure 

 his weapon. 



Be this as it mav, we know of no other method to ascertain 

 positively this important fact. 



THE METAL USED IX THE MANUFACTURE OF GUNS. 



But few Sportsmen are acquainted with the peculiar kinds of 

 iron used in the manufacture of gun-barrels ; although they 

 frequently make use of the terms "stub-and-twist," " wire-twist," 

 "Damascus barrels," &c., they are generally quite ignorant of 

 the real meaning of these terms, and know nothing of their 

 import, origin, or application; in truth, they palaver often like 

 Parrots, without understanding the very phrases they make use 

 of. This being the case, we shall endeavor to enlighten them 

 on the subject in as short a space as possible, as we have so 

 many other topics to treat of, that we fear lest we make our 

 work rather too voluminous for our sporting friends to wade 

 throu2;h. 



STUB-TWIST BARRELS. 



These barrels are very scarce — that is, the real genuine stuh- 

 iiuist — owing to the great difficulty of collecting the materials 

 from which they are manufactured, the cost of working, &;c. 

 This may at first sight seem a strange assertion to some of our 

 readers, many of whom, no doubt, are under the impression 

 tiiat most of tiie guns in the possession of their friends, as well 

 as those they have themselves, styled '"'■ stuh-ticist^'^ are really and 

 truly as genuine specimens as could be produced in any part of 



